We’re all familiar with what good people do; they help others, they’re kind and honest, they pay their taxes on time, and the list could go on…
But what about the things good people NEVER do?
This is where it gets a bit more interesting. In this article, I’ll share 12 things that the genuinely good amongst us stay well clear of (get ready to take notes!).
Some of them might take you by surprise, so let’s jump straight in!
1) They don’t look down on other people
Good people don’t see themselves as above others…that’s usually a foolproof way to know they’re genuine and not putting on an act.
You see, there are plenty of people who claim to be good-doers but in reality, only do it for the likes and popularity they get from it. Behind closed doors, they enjoy the feeling of superiority.
A truly good person will rarely consider themselves as “good”. They just see themselves like everyone else; normal. Not better, not worse.
This is the humble nature of genuinely good people.
2) They never turn away a person in need
Now, since good people never look down on others, they also avoid being picky about who they choose to help out.
They don’t discriminate; if someone is in need, whatever the issue, they’ll be there offering a helping hand or a hot meal.
Whether it’s helping out at the local food bank or repairing their neighbor’s flooded shed, they’re reliable and kind-hearted to whoever crosses their path.
They don’t care about appearances or only helping people to get something in return.
They do it purely because they feel a sense of responsibility to help others and make the world a better place!
3) They avoid gossiping and backbiting
“Did you see the way they were fighting the other night? They’re never going to last! I heard he’s already got another Tinder date lined up!”
“So, she told me last night that she’s going to quit. It’s meant to be a secret but obviously, I just had to tell you.”
Sentences such as the above are something you’ll NEVER hear from genuinely good people.
For one, they have no interest in spreading gossip or lies about people, especially those they care about.
And secondly, backbiting when someone isn’t there to defend themselves or has revealed a secret is a big no-no.
Good people respect others’ privacy and are highly trustable, as you’ll learn more about in my next point:
4) They refuse to lie
Even if it hurts.
Another thing good people never do is lie. They don’t try to sugarcoat the truth with distortions or exaggerations – they just say it how it is.
Isn’t that a bit cold? You might be wondering…
Well, in some ways it can be. But good people know that lying, even to protect someone, will only make the situation worse.
That’s why they prefer to be straight up and honest. Sure, the truth hurts, but it can also heal and help people move on from whatever crappy situation they’re dealing with!
So, even though it may be tough, a good person will always have your back; that’s how you know you can trust them with anything!
5) They try not to hurt people
On a daily basis, good people just try to get on with their lives without affecting others negatively.
They aren’t:
- Selfish
- Controlling
- Mean
- Meddlers in other people’s business
- Overbearing or disrespectful
The bottom line is:
They’re considerate!!
That’s why they tend to give more than they ask for. That’s why they live with integrity and avoid dragging other people into their dramas and problems.
All they want is to have a positive impact on the world. This leads me to my next point:
6) They never disrespect mother nature and her creations
Another key thing good people never do is hurt nature or animals.
They care about other people, but to see wildlife being damaged also causes good people a lot of pain.
At the very least, they’ll do their best to be good to the environment. If they can, they might participate in the following:
- Volunteering at charities
- Recycling and taking part in environmental cleanups
- Protecting and homing stray/abandoned animals in need
- Spreading awareness to family and friends/campaigning for better environmental conditions
Whichever route they take, they don’t expect others to make the world a better place; they see it as their own responsibility too.
7) They’re not rude toward others
Next up on our list of things good people never do is being rude toward others…
You’ll be hard-pressed to see a genuinely good person being rude to a waiter or yelling at the shop assistant.
Of course, everyone can have a bad day…but a good person will likely come back straight away and apologize if they snap in a moment of stress.
So, why do good people work so hard not to be rude?
Well, essentially, they treat people with respect.
This goes back to having integrity but also not seeing themselves as better than anyone else.
They don’t see themselves as superior to the shop assistant. They don’t have a sense of entitlement towards the waiter.
They treat everyone equally, and they do so with manners!
8) They don’t judge people based on their appearances
It’s all about the heart!
Genuinely good people never judge others based on their appearances because they know that it’s what’s inside that counts!
They couldn’t care less if you’re black, white, full of tattoos, got red hair, are fat or short or skinny.
All a good person wants to know is if you’ve got a kind heart and sincere intentions.
I mentioned earlier that they never turn away a person in need…
This is just another example. Good people tend to be more open-minded, they’ll hire the guy no one else likes the look of, and they’ll befriend the weird girl everyone else ignores…because that’s just how they are!
9) They never expect anything for their actions
Despite all the goodness they ooze into the world, good people never expect anything in return.
They don’t help the homeless expecting to be praised for it on social media…
They don’t volunteer to receive a pat on the back or the admiration of their friends…
They’re good because it makes them feel good. It soothes them to know that they’re making a positive change in the world.
And that’s enough for them.
Here’s the thing…
A genuinely good person doesn’t need recognition to keep being good. They’ve got solid morals and values, and they stick by them, regardless of who knows about it or what they get in return!
10) They never criticize
Rather than criticize, good people offer constructive feedback.
Their goal isn’t to make anyone feel bad, but to help them achieve what it is they truly want through productive and practical advice.
So, why do good people avoid criticizing?
It comes down to understanding how other people work.
Tell someone their project is a load of crap and they’ll lose faith in themselves.
But telling someone their project could do with XYZ to improve it gives them something to work with, without disheartening them in the process!
This understanding of how to approach the situation is something good people tend to pick up as they go through life.
They realize there are different ways of communicating, and that offering constructive feedback is far more effective than offering criticism.
11) They don’t hold grudges
Oh no, good people don’t keep hold of past issues. They don’t hold arguments from 10 years ago against people.
They forgive.
Why?
Well, they recognize that life is too short to go around holding onto grudges. They also recognize that by forgiving people, they release themselves from holding anger in their hearts.
And finally, good people know that people deserve second chances. They’re not here to judge or hold people in mental prisons whenever they mess up.
If someone is willing to make the effort, a good person would much rather forgive and move on. And if they aren’t?
What if someone repeatedly hurts a good person?
They likely move on with their lives and leave the perpetrator in the past. But they’ll still forgive them, even if they want nothing to do with them ever again!
12) They never mask their flaws
And finally, good people never mask their imperfections.
Just above I mentioned that they recognize that we’re all human, and we can all make mistakes.
And the same goes for good people.
They’re far from perfect…and they’re honest about it!
In doing so, they allow others to be open and honest. They make people feel comfortable and welcome in their presence.
They don’t try to be someone they aren’t.
But there’s one thing to note:
They’re not just open about their flaws; they actively try to improve them.
Good people are always trying to make the world a better place, and they usually start with themselves.
As the saying goes:
“Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world.
Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
– Rumi